Edmonton adds $1M to enforce parking rules this year after a surge in public complaints

Natasha Riebe · CBC News

· Posted: Aug 25, 2026 9:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: August 25

Parking complaints in the City of Edmonton rose 45 per cent over three years, prompting city managers to add $1 million to boost its bylaw patrols this year to enforce parking rules, a new city report indicates. 

The 56,000 complaints the city got in 2023 jumped to 82,000 in 2025, “creating a persistent backlog of unresolved complaints,” the report shows. 

On the top 10 list of parking complaints to the city’s 311 line, abandoned vehicles took the number one spot three years in a row, accounting for 18 per cent of the increase. 

“This upward trend has continued into 2026, putting the City on pace to surpass last year's volume,” the report from the community standards branch says. 

Safety-related issues were the second highest, followed by parking on private property, obstructing traffic flow and parking too long in a zone that has a time limit. 

During a meeting in June, Ward Métis Coun. Ashley Salvador asked for a breakdown on enforcement trends, deterrent strategies and fine amounts on parking. She has further questions about the $1-million increase for patrols, which she plans to ask at the upcoming community and public services meeting on Aug. 31.

“Does that go far enough? Just given the number of complaints and concerns that I hear out in [the] community,” she said in an interview Monday. “I want to make sure that we're actually following through and making sure that the rules are being enforced.”

Jon Morgan, coun. for Ward Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi, said he believes the increase in complaints could stem from more people using the 311 line and app. 

“I think it shows that people are using the tools that we have at our disposal. We have 311 where Edmontonians can report, very easily, parking complaints, abandoned vehicles," he said.

Morgan also welcomes more enforcement, especially during seasonal parking bans. 

"I did hear during those snow events there wasn't enough patrolling out there." 

WATCH | Parking dominates top 50 complaints to 311:

Currently, the city employs 55 personnel through a contracted company — 46 full-time officers, five part-time officers and four dispatchers. The city expects the $1 million will add 27,000 patrol hours or about 10 more positions, and generate $2 million in fine revenue. 

Cheryl Probert, president of the Downtown Edmonton Community League, said one of the biggest parking violations in their neighbourhoods are people parking illegally in alleys and tucked-away spots, mostly during concerts and events. 

“I think there has to be more enforcement because then that becomes a deterrent if people are actually being punished for being out of compliance for rules and regulations that are well publicized,” Probert said in an interview Monday. 

Fine increases

City managers also recommend increasing fine amounts in at least 20 sections of the bylaw.

Currently the fine for parking too close to an intersection, crosswalk or stop sign is $50. Administration suggests increasing that to $100. 

The fine for parking within five metres of a fire hydrant would increase from $75 to $150. 

An abandoned vehicle currently fetches a $50 -- that would go up to $250; a vehicle damaging or removing a tree on a boulevard would jump from $250 to $1,000. 

The city wants to introduce a $250 fine for parking on private residential property without explicit consent, which would allow officers to ticket near construction or infill sites without requiring homeowners to post "no parking" signs. 

Proposed changes to the fine amounts would generate an estimated revenue of $1.5 million and $1.7 million, the city report says.

City administration plans to review the fine amounts every five years to ensure penalties remain relevant. The next review is in 2031. 

Automated future 

The city said the $1 million and more boots on the ground is a temporary measure while it continues working on an automated enforcement system, expected to take effect by 2028. 

“The plan focuses on transitioning operations from a reactive model to a proactive, technology-leveraged framework through digital e-ticketing and future automated licence plate recognition systems as part of automated parking enforcement,” the report says. 

The technology would integrate payments, permits and enforcement in real time, thereby reducing paperwork and ticketing errors and enabling quicker responses.